Jinjiang Inn Chengdu Yulin

Today's Ocean will be Tomorrow's Rice Field

by eho

This route is probably destroyed by bull dozers now. I walked along Ba Bo street from the west to the east. The west side had some very very old buildings (when I was there the stores all have signs saying that the place would be torn down the following day). It was a contrast to see the old houses in one block and on the east side is a very modern area with McDonald's, Carrfour and boring highrises.

Wen Shu Temple

by imstress

Wen Shu Yuan is the largest and best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu. It was first built in Sui dynasty with the name of Xinxiang temple. The temple was renamed Wenshu temple (temple of Manjuschri) after Master Ciwu witnessed a red light transformed into the image of Manjuschri.

There are many devotes who are there to offer joss sticks and incenses.

This is a place where the local folks like to gather for tea, mahjong, chess, cards and catch up with friends.

The monks has gone high tech carrying mobile phones and driving cars.

Bright lights and many motorcycles!

by sugarpuff

"'Where do I go from here?'"

I first came to Chengdu,capital of Sichuan Province in January 1999. I was travelling around the country with my roommate and Chengdu was our second stop. To be honest, we didn't think much of it. I dusty city, very cold and an unwelcoming bed in a hotel to go back to at the end of each day. We lived near the river which was constantly polluted and the bus station which was dirty, dusty and noisy. The only good thing was the cafe down the road which tried its best to copy western food. Why didnt I eat Chinese food I hear you ask? Well, we couldnt find anywhere that didnt look like it was infested with some creature or another! Looking back now, I realise we were just in the wrong area, because Chengdu the second time round was wonderful! And given the chance, I'll go right back! Theres not so much to do in the city that you cant do anywhere else in China, but she stands as a great entry and exit point to many small paradises around her. From the map, you can see exactly what I mean. Only a few hours away are glaciers, nature reserves and Giant Buddhas...what more could you want?!

"My 'on the train' thoughts!?"

Well here I am, my fourth time in China getting on yet another train to go have fun somewhere. If only places weren't so far away, or if when they put 'T' (te kuai = very fast)on the train ticket before the number of the train, it DOESNT go very fast!!! Why lie to me..I could ride faster on a bicycle than you do by taking me on a train. The only good thing about trains is that you don't get as exhausted as you would if you were to ride for 26hours across the country! Although I must say that buying tickets from the train is somewhat exhausting all right! Fortunately for myself and my friends, I have a lovely Chinese friend (VT member SEESEA) whos father works for the train station and can thereby come across tickets fairly easily when there is a national rush for them. Big thanks to Janice's father!!!!

So here I am on the train........once again, looking out the window at all the wonderful sights passing me by! These are the things that I will remember the most about the trips Ive taken across China....not the high rise buildings which seemt o be cropping up in every city these days, but the individuality of these thrid world villages I pass through, or the women I see working hard in the fields. These are the images which Im sure will stay in most people's heads long after they've finished their trip. The hills, mountains, streams, pagodas dotting the horizon, mud huts, cattle Ive never seen before in my life, people who've never seen the likes of ME before and signs everywhere saying 'whether you give birth to a girl or a boy, both are ok, both are equal'. Well, if you need to put those signs up in the beginning, you know its here, that the problem first occurred!

"Bowling should be an Olympic sport!"

In Chengdu city, very close to the city centre you'll see a big bowling pin on top of a building lighting the way to a very exciting night! At only 5 yuan a game between the hours of 10pm and 1am, who could say no!?
Not I, thats for sure!

You've got to love this poster though!

Apart from a bowling alley, this place also had ping pong tables, pool tables and an air hockey table. It was so much fun and the prices for each game were very reasonable! The photo was taken just after I beat Charles 5-1 at ping pong!!! Poor boy..beaten by a girl!!!